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A solar panel is used to provide hot water for a dwelling house as shown - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 3 - 2017
Question 3
A solar panel is used to provide hot water for a dwelling house as shown. Draw a large freehand sketch of the given house and, on your sketch, show the pipework nece... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A solar panel is used to provide hot water for a dwelling house as shown - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 3 - 2017
Step 1
Draw a large freehand sketch of the given house showing the necessary pipework
Answer
- Begin with a sketch of the dwelling house structure outlined for hot water distribution.
- Indicate the solar panel on the roof, drawing it prominently.
- On one side of the house, sketch the rising main with a stop valve.
- Illustrate an insulated storage tank at a suitable location, indicating a ball valve connection.
- Show the hot water cylinder, providing an annotation for the cold water feed (22mm copper pipe with insulation).
- Diagram the control valve and drain-off valve adjacent to the hot water cylinder.
- Mark the insulated indirect hot water cylinder, showing connections for hot water supply (22mm pipe).
- Connect the solar panel to the cylinder via a 22mm pipe labeled as 'water flow from solar panel to cylinder.'
- Include all necessary return and flow pipes according to the description, such as 22mm return from the cylinder to the solar panel.
- Annotate the position of the pump, isolator, and expansion tank with pressure release valve at accessible points.
Step 2
Discuss two advantages of using a solar panel to provide hot water for a dwelling house
Answer
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Reduced Energy Bills: Using solar panels significantly lowers energy costs related to heating water. Since solar energy is free, householders experience a reduction in electricity or gas bills.
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Environmental Benefits: Solar energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing carbon emissions and contributing to environmental conservation. It also helps to combat climate change due to its renewable nature.
Step 3
On a separate sketch, show a design for a tap which will be easy to use by a person with limited hand movement
Answer
- Lever Design: The preferred tap should have a lever-type design that facilitates easy operation with a limited range of motion.
- Quarter Turn Mechanism: Implement a quarter turn feature for the lever, allowing for simple on/off functionality with minimal effort.
- Optimal Placement: Ensure that the tap is positioned at an accessible height and angle for ease of use.
- Splash Prevention: Design the tap such that the water does not spray or splash, improving user comfort and reducing mess.
- Neck Design: The tap should be tall, with a swivel neck that enables users to position the water stream where needed without excessive effort.